The long-awaited council meeting that will play a crucial role in deciding whether the huge Westfield/Hammerson development in Croydon gets the green light is taking place tonight (Tuesday, November 14).

Full plans of the proposed development were published by Croydon Council just over a week ago, detailing the thousands of jobs that could be created, as well as how many homes built and how long construction is likely to take.

Although there is an indication on the report of how much square feet will reserved for shops, there is still no confirmation of which shops will feature.

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In all, the development will mean an increase of 45,000 square feet of retail space over what is currently on the Whitgift Centre site.

Key Events

'This is a momentous decision for Croydon’s future'

The chief executive of The Whitgift Foundation, which is the freehold owner of the Whitgift Centre, has said this decision will “secure future funding” so more children can attend Whitgift, Trinity and Old Palace schools with increased care also being on offer to older people in the borough.

A spokesman for the foundation said they are “delighted about the regeneration and prosperity the redevelopment will bring to Croydon” and the “positive impact it will have for those benefiting from the work of Croydon’s largest charity”.

They added that last year, the funds generated from the charity’s investment holdings and wider property portfolio, including the Whitgift Centre, meant the foundation was able to grant £5 million towards bursaries and financial assistance to almost half of the 3,200 students attending its three schools, Whitgift, Trinity and Old Palace.

The foundation’s homes provide care for older people in the borough and it has recently extended its care services to provide day care for those over the age of 60 through the 1596 Club.

Funds also contributed to the Carers Support Centre, in central Croydon, which responded to more than 25,000 enquiries from the borough’s unpaid carers.

Martin Corney, chief executive of The Whitgift Foundation, said: “This is a momentous decision for Croydon’s future and we are thrilled that approval has been given by the council for the scheme to go ahead and create one of the UK’s top 10 shopping and entertainment destinations.

“This is also significant for the foundation to secure our future funding so that more children can attend our schools, as well as offering increased care and support to older people and the borough’s carers who are looking after a friend or relative.

“As a Croydon landowner and charity, we are in a unique position to help safeguard the town’s future prosperity for decades to come and ensure our rental income is put back into the community through our charitable activities.”

21:12

'It will lift our town centre up from being rather tired and unloved'

When asked if he was expecting the unanimous vote in support of the Westfield development, councillor Paul Scott, chair of the committee, said: “I’m not really surprised about it to be honest. It is clear that everyone realises the importance of the scheme for Croydon.

“It will lift our town centre up from being rather tired and unloved. It will bring that mix of living, shopping and dining to Croydon.

“I just really hope it happens soon.”

Councillor Paul Scott

21:03

Council say work to begin in 2019

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Croydon and we have been doing everything we can to bring the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre to fruition so local people can benefit from its wealth of offerings, including the creation of 7,000 new jobs.

“The new homes and the thousands of jobs this development will bring shows investors are rightly confident about Croydon as a place to live, work and spend free time.

“I am delighted contractors will be on site in 2019 to kick-start the exciting transformation of the heart of our town.”

20:52

'Croydon has waited years for our new town centre so it’s important we now get to work as soon as possible'

Sarah Jones, Croydon Central MP, has given her reaction to the decision.

She said: “Croydon is one of the most exciting places to live in London right now – with Boxpark, the Fairfield halls development, street art, huge musical talent and Tech City. The one piece of the jigsaw that we have all been working towards is for the town centre to become the vibrant heart of Croydon once again.

“I know my constituents will be delighted with today’s announcement. We have the largest young population in London and this will create thousands of job opportunities, setting our young people up for a bright future.

“Croydon has waited years for our new town centre so it’s important we now get to work as soon as possible.”

20:47

One major hurdle cleared, one to go

As we said earlier this evening, the committee granting approval is the first of two major hurdles that need to be cleared for the Westfield/Hammerson development to go ahead.

Because of the scale of the plan, it will now be referred to the Mayor of London, who will have the final say on whether planning permission should be granted.

It is fair to say it would be a huge surprise, though, if Sadiq Khan were to turn down the application now that it has got this far.

How the entrance to the new Westfield/Hammerson development in Croydon might look

20:42KEY EVENT

Councillors unanimously approve the Westfield/Hammerson development

After giving their final views, the councillors on the committee each voted and they unanimously gave their approval for the development to go ahead!

20:40

Councillors get the chance to give their views on the plans

Councillors on the committee have been given another chance to give their views on the development.

Councillor Jason Perry says it is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and supports it.

Councillor Jamie Audsley also supports it.

Councillor Chris Wright said he “wished it well”.

Councillor Sue Winborn said it was a “scheme that would bring huge significance to Croydon” and added her support.

Councillor Bernadette Khan raised her hand to say she would like to see “water features” for children as part of the scheme.

Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor said he was “absolutely delighted to support the application, and would rather it was built next week.”

20:34

'We need to change perceptions around attitudes to Croydon'

John Burton, Westfield’s head of development, has addressed the committee.

He said: “We always said we would come back to this committee with affordable housing and that is exactly what this report has done.”

Speaking about “Generation X” - young people living in Croydon - Mr Burton said while there may not be many in the room tonight at the meeting, they need to be considered when the councillors make their decision.

He also spoke about making Croydon an appealing place for people to visit. He said: “We need to change perceptions around attitudes to Croydon. We need to understand the social and human benefits it will bring to the area.”

John Burton, Westfield's head of development

20:28

Croydon Council has received 15 objections to the development going ahead

Resident Sean Creighton has attended the meeting to share his concerns about the development. He said the planning committee need to decide if the scheme would bring “real and substantial” benefits to the town centre. He argued “North End should be the focal point of Croydon” and expressed his fears the development would result in Croydon becoming an “urban motorway”.

He also said “another” cinema may not be beneficial to Croydon because he thinks the borough could benefit from a dance studio or a different type of entertainment complex.

He added: “The demolition and construction process will take the heart out of the town centre and it could reduce its economic viability.” He is also worried “levels of crime could also increase”.

20:18

Could the shop front of M&S be saved from demolition?

On the subject of the proposal to knock down M&S on North End, Councillor Joy Prince has asked if it would be possible to “save the shop facade” because it would be a “shame” to see the whole building go.

Officers Helen Furnell and Heather Cheesbrough both confirmed it would not be possible to protect the shop front from being demolished.

Councillor Joy Prince

20:07

Fears about the impact the development could have on Reigate and Redhill shops

Helen Furnell has answered a question from Councillor Chris Wright about the impact the development could have on Reigate and Redhill shoppers. Ms Furnell said: “This is going to be a very different offer than what is on offer in other town centres, like Reigate or Redhill, which to be fair are quite a way away.”

20:03

Where would the affordable homes be located?

It was previously proposed that the Croydon Partnership was considering having up to 1,000 homes on the site, as opposed to the 400 to 600 that were granted outline permission for in February, 2014. Now, the plans show that a minimum of 626 flats could be built, though that figure could rise as high as 967 in up to five tower blocks – 20% of which will be available at rents below market rates.

Of these homes, it’s proposed that five per cent are studio apartments, 45 per cent are one-bedroom flats, 45 per cent are two-bedroom properties and five per cent are three-bedroom.

Councillor Humayun Kabir has asked whereabouts the affordable homes would be located within the scheme.

Helen Furnell said at this stage there is no proposal about where the affordable homes will be in the proposed towers and they could be “dotted around”.

On the back of that, officer Heather Cheesbrough said she believes 20% affordable housing is “reasonable and deliverable” for the project and it aligns with the minimum they have to provide.

She also said: “We would like to think [the homes at rents below market rates] would be [at a cost of] 66% of the market rent.”

19:53

What will there be for children?

Councillor Bernadette Khan asks: “What I would like to hear about is if there will be some kind of therapeutic outside area for children to be in while their parents are spending their millions in the stores?”

Helen Furnell answered by saying: “There is a requirement in the scheme for just over 1,000 square feet for community space. At this stage of the scheme we don’t have that level of detail at the moment. In terms of community play space that will be included in the residential roof top area.”

When Cllr Khan clarified her point to say she was specifically talking about shoppers and not people living in the area, Ms Furnell added: “That’s not something [a therapeutic area] which is specifically proposed at the moment.”

Councillor Bernadette Khan

19:46

Councillor asks for assurances on pedestrianised route

Councillor Jason Perry has asked about the 24-hour use of the Galleria, questioning if it would still be controlled 24/7 even if another developer came in, in the future.

Helen Furnell responded by saying: “We are attaching a planning condition that it will always remain 24-hour and controlled.”

19:41

Planned pedestrianised route between East Croydon and Wellesley Road

The updated planning documents include a 24-hour pedestrianised route, which has been named the ‘Galleria’ between East Croydon and North End. This is part of an idea to create better pedestrian routes through the town centre.

The report reads: “This route through the site is of strategic importance and is intended as a 24-hour connecting route linking East Croydon with Old Town.

“As a vital urban design priority for the scheme, the Galleria needs to function as a seamless continuation of the public realm.”

The Galleria is mapped out as a pedestrianised route running from Wellesley Road, opposite Lansdowne Road, to North End, near Drummond Road.

The route will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be well lit with doors on either side to access car parking.

19:35

What leisure facilities could be expect to be part of the development?

Councillor Jason Perry has just asked what leisure facilities could be included, such as an IMAX cinema which has been proposed. Cllr Perry asked: “There [has been an] intention of a cinema [in the Croydon development], while in Westfield Stratford there are other leisure facilities, like bowling. Is there an intention to have other leisure facilities here?”

In response council officer Helen Furnell said: “The report does not definitely say if there will or will not be a cinema. There is an option, but one option does not preclude another leisure option necessarily.”

What would the development be called?

In response, council officer Heather Cheesbrough said a decision has not been reached over the name yet and proposals are still ongoing

19:15

Will John Lewis be one of the new anchor stores?

It is thought the flagship M&S will be an addition to another anchor department store, but there is no mention in the latest planning report of John Lewis - which has long been thought to be the preferred tenant.

Doubt was cast on John Lewis’ involvement in August after the company’s new managing director told The Sunday Times there would be no new stores.

In the report there is a mention of ‘Department Store B’ and ‘Department Store A’.

19:13KEY EVENT

"Two new anchor stores"

While discussing “public benefits of the design”, Mr Gentry said the “two new anchor stores” were among them. However, he did not name the stores.

18:52

Ross Gentry, a Croydon Council planning officer, is presenting the Westfield/Hammerson plans to the committee. Mr Gentry has outlined the main changes to the plan since 2014. They include demolishing rather than keeping a multi-storey car park, knocking down the existing M&S store and having up to 193 affordable homes built as part of the development.

On proposals for M&S to be demolished, he said: “This is to be demolished due to the incompatibility of the existing building. The building makes a positive contribution to the conservation area, [which] has been noted [in the report].”

18:42

How have the Westfield plans changed since 2014?

18:40

Updated plans

Councillors will be debating updated plans for the Westfield/Hammerson development. The long-anticipated plans detail the thousands of jobs that are likely to be created, how many of the hundreds of homes will be designated as ‘affordable’ and reveal the future of North End’s Marks & Spencer (M&S) store, as well as exactly how long construction will take.

One of the main changes since the initial 2014 planning application, is the proposal to demolish the current M&S store on North End and build a new flagship M&S department store.

18:30

Good evening

Welcome to our live coverage of a key meeting where councillors on the Croydon Council planning committee will vote on whether to give the huge redevelopment plan the go-ahead. Paul Scott, the chair, has started the meeting.